Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 1

The Overwhelming Effects of Anxiety and Depression

Fully Developed Paper

Mansha Maheshwari

Howard High School

Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 2

The Overwhelming Effects of Anxiety and Depression

Every year about 42.5 million Americans are affected by some sort of a mental condition

(Pietrangelo & Cherney, 2017). Anxiety is a mental health disorder which is characterized by

feelings of anxiousness and worry (Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2017). It is categorized as an

ongoing condition which can be very threatening to one’s mind and body (Mayo Clinic Staff,

2017). Different anxiety disorders with varied symptoms they generally include: being constantly

worried, the inability to relax, and difficulty concentrating (Tracy, 2016). These mental health

disorders are related to psychological stress as it is characterized by the feeling of strain and

pressure. The physical impacts of depression and anxiety result in the outpouring of stress

hormones which correlates these two disorders.

Furthermore, depression is caused affects the mind and the body controlling the

hippocampus, in the limbic system as well (LaBracio, 2016). The hippocampus is where the

activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is located. When the hippocampus becomes weak,

the body’s ability to control and manage stress is weakened (LaBracio, 2016). Depression makes

someone’s hippocampus very small and affects the brain which affects the physical health and

mood. With physical symptoms, the body feels low as it contains low amounts of dopamine and

other chemicals (Deardorff, 2017). Also, the feelings of sadness and negatively cause the heart to

send signals to the brain which then causes havoc in the central nervous system (Smith,

Robinson, & Segal, 2017).

Depression is triggered through many different components. Serotonin and dopamine are

two examples of neurotransmitters that are usually deficient (Walia, 2016). Physicals symptoms

of depression are very vague but they can help in determining if depression exists because of the
Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 3

severity of pain it can cause (Hellerstein, 2011). Some of the most frequent causes include:

sleeping problems, appetite changes, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue, and weakened

immunity (Deardorff, 2017). Appetite changes such as irritable bowel syndrome can be slowed

because of depression and how it affects each body (Hellerstein, 2011). This connects to stress as

cortisol has also other effects such as shrinking the size of the brain, affecting multiple regions

including the concentration and decision making abilities of an individual (Carbonell, 2009).

Stress is caused by the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal

axis releases a hormone, cortisol, which prepares the body to respond to stress (LaBracio, 2016).

High levels of cortisol results in chronic stress, which can affect how a person remembers and

learns things (Carbonell, 2009). High levels of cortisol creates more pronounced sleeping affects

such as insomnia and without the sufficient amount of sleep, the human body becomes more

prone to physical illnesses and weakens the immune system (Deardorff, 2017).

Moreover, anxiety caused affects the mind and the body by controlling the nervous

system. Anxiety symptoms are an emotion of fear, constant tension, and chronic anxiety which is

the body’s “flight or fight” response (Hellerstein, 2011). Some important symptoms to note

while dealing with anxiety are thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors (Hellerstein, 2011).

Thoughts are always presented as an expression of reality but they can also be anxiety symptoms

as they cause overthinking (Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2017). Anxiety is not limited to the mind

as it also affects the body and causes physical sensations. Those sensations are anything that can

cause pain to the body such as headaches, dizziness, and etc (Pietrangelo & Cherney, 2017).

Responding to physical sensations while experiencing is important as they can affect the mind

and aggravate pain and cause unusual behaviors to worsen the state; feelings can cause a
Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 4

disturbance as they overtake a mind with fear and question many things (Smith, Robinson, &

Segal, 2017). This connects to stress as being overly stressed or anxious can trigger heart

fluttering which can lead to chronic conditions such as heart or respiratory diseases. It is best to

calm down and to terminate the stress response so the body and heart can return to the original

state of normalcy (LaBracio, 2016).

These two disorders, depression and anxiety dominate the body and mind due to the

excessive amount of stress (Pietrangelo & Cherney, 2017). Having high or low levels of cortisol

can be threatening to the body and mind as it affects the fear center in the brain and depletes

memory (LaBracio, 2016). Anxiety, depression, and stress play a huge role in heart palpitations

as they are the first hand sponsors of the physiological, psychological, and emotional changes

within a body.

Depression and anxiety maintain a strong connection, but both of those conditions

exhibit different responses such as: hopelessness, despair, anger, fear, and anger (LaBracio,

2016). Anxiety is a dangerous condition which is hard to overcome because it causes many

problems such as chronic medical conditions (Hellerstein, 2011). Anxiety is more common than

others such as panic and obsessive compulsive disorders (Hellerstein, 2011). Depression is

considered a low energy state while anxiety is considered the opposite (Pietrangelo & Cherney,

2017). Anxiety and depression are both caused by malfunction in the brain chemistry (Smith,

Robinson, & Segal, 2017). The symptoms for depression are long lasting and harder to resolve

compared to anxiety (LaBracio, 2016). Patients with both disorders are more likely to have

suicidal thoughts than with just depression or anxiety (Pietrangelo & Cherney, 2017).
Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 5

Everyday depression and anxiety take over many people’s ability to function properly

due to their feelings of prolonged sadness and stress. There is a strong correlation between

anxiety and depression due to the common factor of stress. Both of these conditions when

combined can be very deadly as both of these conditions cause major emotional and physical

damage. As a community people must take action to find ways in research to help patients with

anxiety and depression. The amount of awareness regarding these disorders isn’t enough to better

the conditions of multiple patients who suffer for these disorders. Having both conditions and not

knowing when to seek help can deteriorate a person’s mind as these symptoms of these

conditions continue to manifest into their lifestyle. Therefore, this issue should be treated with

full attention and should not be taken lightly as it can change someone’s perspective and lifestyle

so much that it can tear them away from a happy life.

Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 6

References

Aschwanden, C. (2013). ​The curious lives of the people who feel no fear​ (Vol. 217). Retrieved
from
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=6a923505-1e8d-4984-92c7-ea
4d912b6710%40sessionmgr4007&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=8
5973974&db=sch

Carbonell, D., Ph.D. (2009). Struggling with anxiety symptoms? Retrieved November 23, 2017,
from Anxiety Coach website: http://www.anxietycoach.com/anxietysymptoms.html

Deardorff, W. W., Ph.D. (2017, July 1). 4 tips to help cope with chronic pain and depression.
Retrieved November 23, 2017, from Spine-health website:
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/4-tips-help-cope-chronic-pain-and-d
epression

Hellerstein, D., Ph.D. (2011, July 14). Depression and anxiety disorders damage your brain,
especially when untreated. Retrieved November 23, 2017, from Psychology Today
website:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/heal-your-brain/201107/depression-and-anxiety-
disorders-damage-your-brain-especially-when

LaBracio, L. (2016, March 10). How stress affects your brain (in TED-Ed GIFS). Retrieved
October 24, 2017, from TedEd Lessons Worth Sharing website:
http://blog.ed.ted.com/2016/03/10/how-stress-affects-your-brain-in-ted-ed-gifs/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017, October 13). Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved October 24,
2017, from Mayo Clinic website:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-
causes/syc-20360803

Pietrangelo, A. P., & Cherney, K. (2017, September 11). The effects of depression in your body.
Retrieved October 30, 2017, from Healthline website:
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body

Smith, M., M.A., Robinson, L., & Segal, J., Ph.D. (2017, October). Anxiety disorders and
anxiety attacks. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from HELPGUIDE.ORG website:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-and-anxiety-attacks.htm

Tracy, N. (2016, June 15). Relationship between depression and anxiety. Retrieved November
23, 2017, from HealthyPlace website:
https://www.healthyplace.com/depression/anxiety-and-depression/relationship-between-d
epression-and-anxiety/
Running Head: THE OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY & DEPRESSION 7

Walia, A. (2016, February 19). How depression affects brain structure and what you can do to
change it back. Retrieved October 31, 2017, from Collective Evolution website:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/02/19/how-depression-affects-brain-structure-
what-you-can-do-to-change-it-back/